Vandals raid two churches 14 times

YOUNG vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in more than a dozen attacks at two West Reading churches.

The Rev Adam Carlill, the vicar of St George's and St Mary Magdalene churches, says that the culprits are "playing fast and loose with the

system".

The attacks have included hurling a brick through a £3,500 stained glass memorial window at St George's Church in Oxford Road.

The Rev Carlill said: "The window, which was in memory of one of our parishioners' loved ones, was smashed on St George's Day just before a

service - a brick came through it at around 7pm.

We're on a wing and a prayer as that sort of hit is a major body blow financially. It's a very

vindictive type of vandalism."

The Rev Carlill said raiders also caused damaged worth hundreds of pounds in the kitchen of a nearby church hall on two consecutive nights earlier this month. He said they smashed glasses and emptied a knife drawer after breaking through grilling protecting the fire door.

The Rev Carlill said St Mary Magdalene in Kentwood Hill had also been vandalised.

He said since Christmas both venues have been hit 14 times, averaging about one attack a fortnight.

A "very annoyed" Mr Carlill, 37, says he has his suspicions of who the culprits are and says police are currently investigating the incidents.

"All the locals know who these kids are - they are playing fast and loose with the system," he said.

"It's a hard battle to maintain charity to the culprits and as Christians this is a real test for us to show our mettle. The parish is very upset but very resilient."

He said: "I'd like to see the consequences of these children's actions fall back on their parents, both financially and in community work.

"There are support networks available for parents with problems and these parents should be forced into them for their sake, their kids' sake and for their community.

"I'd also like to see more responsibility from members of the public - we've created a climate of fear among adults because of our noble desire to help children from nasty people but the general public refuses to engage with children and as a result children are completely at a loss.

"They feel they can get away with anything and get no direction because the public has been disenfranchised."

A police spokeswoman said officers were aware of the incidents and working to stop it happening again.

"It's not nice or fair what the church is going through but hopefully they can work with us and we can get it sorted out one way or the other,"